Kentucky's Amari Williams needs physical push to start playing

Posted : 28 March 2025

Kentucky basketball needs center Amari Williams to embrace a more aggressive mindset in their NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 clash against Tennessee. Rather than maintaining the reserved demeanor of an English gentleman, the Nottingham native must channel the intensity of a fiery competitor, much like the passion seen in soccer hooligans.

Striking that balance has been a continuous challenge for Williams. His teammates and coaches often find ways to ignite his competitive edge beyond just a routine breakfast. “My teammates do a great job of getting me in the right mindset to play at my best,” Williams said. “I remind myself that once the game starts, there are no friends on the court.”

However, there are moments when Williams loses sight of that mentality. During Kentucky’s first-round matchup, he and Troy guard Tayton Conerway wrestled for possession of a loose ball. After officials called a jump ball, Williams instinctively snatched the ball away, nearly escalating the exchange into a confrontation. Yet, his composed nature quickly surfaced as he checked on Conerway, asking if he was all right.

Kentucky reserve center Brandon Garrison noted that trash talk from opponents often fuels Williams’ energy. “He doesn’t like it, but it gets him going,” Garrison said. Understanding this, guard Otega Oweh sometimes provokes him before games, and strength coach Randy Towner even gives him an occasional shove to spark his intensity. Garrison also stays behind with Williams in the locker room to hype him up before tipoff.

Coach Mark Pope recognizes the significance of Garrison’s influence on Williams, stating that the duo feeds off each other’s energy. “They haven’t started getting super physical yet, but maybe we should try that,” Pope said. Williams’ ability to facilitate the offense as a 7-footer makes him a crucial part of Kentucky’s success, and his presence will be vital in their quest for the program’s first Elite Eight appearance since 2019.

Williams has shown flashes of dominance, recording 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists in a road win against Tennessee. However, foul trouble hindered his impact in the rematch, limiting him to just six points, three rebounds, and two assists. That’s why the Wildcats aim to engage him early, sometimes even with a well-placed elbow or forearm to spark his competitive fire. “Once I feel the physicality of the game, that’s what flips the switch for me,” Williams said.

Since transferring from Drexel, Williams has steadily grown into a more assertive leader. His transformation was evident in Kentucky’s matchup with Illinois when he emphatically instructed teammate Koby Brea to continue his cut after an initial miscommunication. That leadership resulted in a second-half layup when Brea followed through on Williams’ advice. As the Wildcats advance, Williams’ ability to assert himself could be the key to their success.

Kentucky's Amari Williams needs physical push to start playing

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